My name is Meilin. I have many dream careers.
I want to work in international business for a foreign company.
I want to be part of a nonprofit organization to provide overseas aid.
I want to teach English when I return to my country.
Next week is my course registration time‌ I need to decide what courses to take*‌ Where should I start? *Course Registration/Students make their own course schedules, and register for the courses online on an assigned date. It is usually about 6 weeks before a semester start date.
I’ll take about 10 courses this year…
If I take 5 courses every semester…
There are 3 semesters in a year.
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I will finish early!!! Good idea!
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Since I have many interests…
I will take this course also!
… this and this and that. Ah… this sounds interesting too!!!
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I will take as many courses as I can every semester, and transfer to UBC ASAP!!! 5
It ’s impossible…
You can’t handle 5 courses in one semester.
Course Planning Sessions
What? Why?
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I think I can…
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Most universities have 2 semesters in a year, but Langara offers 3 full semesters. Don’t overload your schedule. I recommend new students to start with 3 courses.
But, I want to transfer to university sooner than later. 9
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Rather than trying to handle 5 courses…
You want to concentrate on 3 courses, and get the best grades you can in each course. When you transfer to university, you are required to have a high grade point average (GPA). But I haven’t decided my major, and don’t really know what I’m interested in… There are so many courses I want to take…
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……
You will have individual counselling later.
I will…
You can talk more with an advisor then.
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Individual Course Counselling
Let’s discuss your course load first. What do you think about taking fewer courses this semester?
Come on in, Meilin. So you haven’t decided on a major yet..
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Yes... I’ve decided to take 3 courses this semester. 16
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English is required for all majors… so you can take an English course, and 2 other courses can be chosen from these subjects.
You can start your first and second semester with … ...and choose your major from the courses you are interested in.
I see…
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4 weeks later…
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I don’t like writing essays… Hey, Meilin! 22
Taiki! 23
Taiki is a Japanese student. They met at one of the IE events last week
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How is your first semester going?
Do you usually study here? Yeah, The library has quiet study space and large computer labs.
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Taiki, I don’t know what to do… 25
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My only choice is to withdraw from it.
I decided to take 3 courses instead of 5, so I can spend more time on each course.
Are you serious?
Oh... 28
But I don’t think I can pass my English course. 30
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English is a required course for any major, so it is better if you don’t withdraw!
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What am I supposed to do?!?
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Did you receive a letter from the IE office? I remember the letter suggested that we can see a counsellor in the Counselling Office when we have a problem… 34
That reminds me…
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I think you can get advice on what you can do to save your course.
Don’t forget to make an appointment to see a counsellor.
Counselling Office 36
All right! Thanks for the info…
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Thanks to Taiki’s suggestion, I made an appointment with an academic counsellor…
Counselling Office Hours
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You may want to avoid withdrawing from the English course if it is possible. Yes…
The counsellor gave advice on time management, and gave me information on various workshops which help develop my study skills. The counsellor was helpful and very easy to talk to.
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I also recommend that you visit the Writing Centre. You can get free tutorial services and take free writing workshops. These services will help you develop your writing skills.
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Langara offers a number of free services that help your studies: Writing Centre Free one-on-one tutoring, small group writing workshops Chemistry Help Centre Faculty tutoring, peer tutoring, resources (books, computers, videos) Physics Help Centre Faculty tutoring, peer tutoring, resources (books, computers, videos) Mathematics and Statistics Activity Centre Faculty tutoring, peer tutoring, resources (books, computers, videos) Biology Help Centre Peer tutoring Psychology Lab Lab demonstration, resources (online reference searches, books, videos) Computer Science & Information Systems Help Centre Peer tutoring Counselling Academic, personal and career counselling, student success workshops Health Services Doctors and nurses provide medical care, resources for health education
Also, don’t forget to visit your instructors during their office hours to ask questions.
Office hours?!?
Office hours are listed on your course outline, and posted on the instructors’ doors. Students can visit them directly during these hours.
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What are you working on now?
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A research essay.
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Why don’t you visit your instructor and get advice face-to-face? I will! 44
She reviewed my draft, and gave me some suggestions. She also asked me to show her a revision.
I got lots of advice from the instructor during office hours. 45
Now that I have a closer relationship with my instructor… This English class is my favourite! 46
I studied together with my classmates.
I visited my instructor often during her office hours.
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I studied every day in the library.
I took advice from the counsellor… and…
I passed the English course!!!
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Now I know what I have to do next time I run into a problem.
What a relief! I am so glad I passed.
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Come to think of it, I sort of know the type of studies I am interested and not interested in. I never thought I would be interested in this area of studies…
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………
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What’s the matter?
I decided my major!!!
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I needed to adjust my original plan for courses and my area of studies, but…
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I now know what I want to study, and it matches my interests. 56
I am planning to go to UBC too.
I need to transfer to UBC to get the degree I want! 58
Really, Taiki? But it’s not going to be easy…
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If my GPA is higher, I won’t have a problem transferring to UBC.
… so maybe we should stay at Langara for 2 years. 60
Yeah, the class size is small and tuition is cheaper. It’s an easier transition for us.
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Yes! We can graduate together from UBC!
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Okay, let’s study hard. 64
Yes!!!
The Langara experience in manga. www.langara.bc.ca/international-education